FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[CNU85]

That was a game that sums up the 2019 season for CNU. 2-7. First time ever CNU sees a 7 in the loss column. Next week will be an 8. The HC needs to make some changes in his staff. A blown call or missed assignment can explain one loss or maybe two.  But not 7. The coaches aren't preparing the team or utilizing the talent. I'm not a fan of the OC. At all. His game management and play calling is questionable. I'd start there. How can a team go 7-2 with 2 OT losses to probably 2-8 —and not only 2-8 but losses to some really horrible teams like Hampden Sydney. I will always be a fan and I do like the HC. This is his first HC position. I think he could develop into a very good coach. But first he has to make some hard decisions. Such as admitting some of your hires were not the right fit for your program and make necessary changes.

Rowan also is not the Beast of the East of old. Not sure what's going on there but other than the play on the field what I've noticed lacking is discipline. The team doesn't seem as disciplined in play and between plays as I remember. But kudos to them for turning today's game around and getting on the bus with the W. Can't deny them that. The effort was there in the second half.

[Teamski]

Looks like Joe Callahan got signed by the Seattle Dragons of the new XFL.

-Ski

[RowanPhan]

That was a game that sums up the 2019 season for CNU. 2-7. First time ever CNU sees a 7 in the loss column. Next week will be an 8. The HC needs to make some changes in his staff. A blown call or missed assignment can explain one loss or maybe two.  But not 7. The coaches aren't preparing the team or utilizing the talent. I'm not a fan of the OC. At all. His game management and play calling is questionable. I'd start there. How can a team go 7-2 with 2 OT losses to probably 2-8 —and not only 2-8 but losses to some really horrible teams like Hampden Sydney. I will always be a fan and I do like the HC. This is his first HC position. I think he could develop into a very good coach. But first he has to make some hard decisions. Such as admitting some of your hires were not the right fit for your program and make necessary changes.

Rowan also is not the Beast of the East of old. Not sure what's going on there but other than the play on the field what I've noticed lacking is discipline. The team doesn't seem as disciplined in play and between plays as I remember. But kudos to them for turning today's game around and getting on the bus with the W. Can't deny them that. The effort was there in the second half.

It has been a tough year.  I expected the team to get better week-to-week, but that hasn't been the story of the season.  They have top notch talent, but conservative and timid play-calling.

[PA_wesleyfan]

.....add that Wesley had 11 penalties for 98 yards...

-Ski

25 offensive points against a 3-loss team (18 until 1 min to go in the 4th) is not what you want to see...

This game was the first Wesley game I have seen where the Wolverines attempted 2 fake punts.  Both succeeded too!

-Ski

Papa Nick and I were discussing the two fake punts and we arent sure Coach Drass called two in his who coaching career at Wesley.. I do think that Bruen ran after he saw the side of the field wide open

[PA_wesleyfan]

  Good to see beenhit2hard and the Mrs. at Wesley the last few weeks.

  I don't understand how one of the Wesley players gets cut blocked and ends up getting a personal foul called against. Counting that play and the unsportman like agter the td for celebration and that takes the penaulty total down 30 yrds.This may have been the least chippy game all year. I always question when a  ack judge decides to throw flags on plays that another ref looking right at the play doesn't M.Jake a call.

[MRMIKESMITH]

I didn't really want to do a prediction this past week. However I will do a hard recap. First, congratulations to Salisbury Seagulls for winning the NJAC title. They really put on an offensive show. Salisbury for the first time in many years threw for over 270 yards and actually had more yards passing than rushing. I was much impressed with the offensive aggressiveness to pass on 1st, 2nd, and obvious rushing downs. Also, congrats to Octavious Wilson for breaking Salisbury receiving record with 4 catches for 187 yards and was rewarded with NJAC offensive player of the week (https://www.suseagulls.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20191110o0rd80?fbclid=IwAR3RRxTomVoGHJefdWxHhskisymz-XngOOq0DcggCY2qSUWL1oFtkhpuWVQ). I know it's not hall of fame numbers for a WR, but great numbers considering the offense and if you watch the game, these receptions weren't on PA plays but true drop back passes. Kudos for this young man, hope he gets comeback player of the year in all of college football. Also want to give props to the offensive line for holding up strong on their pass sets as they are already at a disadvantage with their tilted alignment. Again kudos to the offensive coordinator this year, the play calling definitely has change the outlook and ceiling of this team. Outside of the offensive explosion, I was not impressed with Defense this week. It may have appeared to be a drastic blowout, which the scoreboard indicated, but that was predicated on the offense and TCNJ KO return miscues. What I was not impressed with was two TCNJ offensive drives that were 11 plays 75 yards 6:30 and 21 plays 81 yards 11:17, which led to two of TCNJs 3 TDs. Salisbury Defense has to find a way to get off the field and not allow long drives that keep the ball out of the offensive hands. As I mentioned in many of my post throughout the season, I think the defensive backfield is the weakest link for Salisbury, the defensive coordinator called up some good blitzes, but the players are not executing. If it's 3rd and 12 and you are in man to man, why are you backpedaling. They have one more game to get better then it's playoff time, the offense is not guaranteed to outscore the other team. There are going to be ample one-on-one situations come playoff time and Salisbury is going to have to rely on the CBs to and FS to cover the slots and 2nd receivers as Carroll takes away a quarter of the field. Again congrats for winning the NJAC title. Offense is hitting on all cylinders, but defensively have to make individual plays, the defense coordinator can only do so much.

[wesleydad]

Regional Rankings are out and Wesley stays at 2.  Endicott gets in at 10, so if Wesley wins Saturday they are a lock for a Pool C bid with 2 RRO wins, barring Endicott losing this week and dropping out again.

[thewaterboy]

Regional Rankings are out and Wesley stays at 2.  Endicott gets in at 10, so if Wesley wins Saturday they are a lock for a Pool C bid with 2 RRO wins, barring Endicott losing this week and dropping out again.

Beat me to the punch here. Endicott making the board is huge for the Wolverines. Now all they need to do is take care of business on Saturday.... I am hoping for a better offensive performance. Although, if Wesley does secure a spot in the playoffs, I think they will have to lean on the defense quite a bit. Neither QB is proving to be all that capable.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Regional Rankings are out and Wesley stays at 2.  Endicott gets in at 10, so if Wesley wins Saturday they are a lock for a Pool C bid with 2 RRO wins, barring Endicott losing this week and dropping out again.

Beat me to the punch here. Endicott making the board is huge for the Wolverines. Now all they need to do is take care of business on Saturday.... I am hoping for a better offensive performance. Although, if Wesley does secure a spot in the playoffs, I think they will have to lean on the defense quite a bit. Neither QB is proving to be all that capable.

A Wesley win in the range of 40 to 10 would be comparable to other teams out of region that played CNU.

[wesleydad]

I would love the D3 projected bracket to be true.  Wesley gets Framingham and then the winner of Bridgewater/CWRU, if they win and both would be at home.  After that another trip to Mount Union is likely.  I can see this team losing in the first round or making the quarters and with those 3 as possible opponents I would expect them to win both games.  Maybe this team will do enough on offense and the defense will carry them to the quarters.  IMO there is no chance for them to beat Mount, but reaching the quarters would be a good return to the playoffs.  First things first, leave no doubt this Saturday against CNU.

[RowanPhan]

I would love the D3 projected bracket to be true.  Wesley gets Framingham and then the winner of Bridgewater/CWRU, if they win and both would be at home.  After that another trip to Mount Union is likely.  I can see this team losing in the first round or making the quarters and with those 3 as possible opponents I would expect them to win both games.  Maybe this team will do enough on offense and the defense will carry them to the quarters.  IMO there is no chance for them to beat Mount, but reaching the quarters would be a good return to the playoffs.  First things first, leave no doubt this Saturday against CNU.

Last week CNU looked phenomenal on their first 2 drives, then slowly, the wheels on the bus came off. However, def not a team to take lightly.

IMO chances that 2 NJAC teams make the playoffs is a good thing for the conference 

[CNU85]

A head scratching season for sure.

[RowanPhan]

A head scratching season for sure.

My question, are you at last excited about next season?

[CNU85]

A head scratching season for sure.

My question, are you at last excited about next season?

I'm excited about basketball season!! hahahahahaha!

[JT2]

Finally, settling into the new house... man cave is starting to take shape. Watched the Profs battle back down 20-3 in the 4th to beat TCNJ 24-20... first time watching Rowan on the new 75".

Hope to see the non-Senior playmakers back next year. Missed a lot of football this year... college and pro. Next year, I want to take Austin to his first football game, he'll be 5 in early November 2020. Kean next year and maybe Montclair as long as the weather is nice.